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Environmental Control for Indoor Allergens

Patients Educational Materials Environmental Control

Environmental Control for Indoor Allergens

House dust contains a variety of allergens such as insect parts, animal dander, and dust mites. Furthermore, mold may also be present in homes. It is important to eliminate as much allergen as possible from the home in order to derive maximum benefit from your treatment.

House Dust Mite is probably the most important allergen in most homes. Controlling house dust mite exposure will decrease symptoms in allergic patients and may decrease the risk of developing dust mite allergy in patients not yet sensitized. Dust mites are tiny microscopic creatures that thrive in warm, moist climates. Upholstery (particularly the bed) is the ideal habitat for dust mites because they need the protection of the padding and a food supply (shed human skin) to survive. They cannot thrive on non-porous surfaces or in cool dry climates.

There are simple things you can do to minimize dust mite exposure:

  • You should concentrate on the bedroom (particularly the bed) because this is where you spend most of your time. In fact, when you are sleeping, you are breathing with your mouth and nose inches from a whole army of dust mites. The bedroom should be clutter free.
  • Dusting should be done frequently with a damp cloth.
  • The humidity in the bedroom should be kept below 50%. In Central Oklahoma this generally requires only air condition, but may require a de-humidifier. Humidifiers encourage dust mite and mold growth and should be avoided.
  • The mattress, box spring and pillow should be encased in dust mite proof encasements. All items on the bed should be washed in hot water (140 degrees) every one to two weeks. Stuffed animals should be removed from the bed.
  • Upholstered furniture and wall to wall carpet contain dust mites and should be avoided if possible, but these are not nearly as important as the bed.
  • Air filters, expensive vacuum cleaners, and duct cleaning help only minimally. When vacuuming, a HEPA filter or double bag should be used to minimize dust mites being stirred up and released into the air.

Cockroaches are now recognized as important indoor allergens. Other insects such as lady bugs, spiders, and crickets have recently been implicated. Keep the home clean and dry and fix any leaks or drips. It may be necessary to have an exterminator treat the home periodically.

Animal dander, generally from cats and dogs (but sometimes from gerbils, hamster, guinea pigs, mice, etc.) is a very important source of allergen in dust. Contrary to popular belief, animal hair is not the problem. Rather, it is a protein in the urine, saliva and dander of animal that provokes allergy. There are no “nonallergenic” furred pets. Some individual animals produce more allergen than others but there are no “safe” breeds.

  • The best thing you can do if you are allergic is to eliminate the pet.
  • Keeping the animal outside is only a partial solution because people who handle the animals outside will bring the allergen in on their clothes.
  • If you cannot eliminate the pet, try to keep the pet in non-upholstered areas and never let the pet in the bedroom. A HEPA filter in the bedroom may provide some protection.
  • Bathing the animals weekly may decrease the amount of allergen they produce.
  • After the animal has been removed, it can take as long as a year for allergen levels in the home to drop significantly, so a good thorough cleaning of the home is necessary after eliminating the animal.

Recently some information has come to light which suggests that if you are not already allergic it may actually be helpful to have cats or dogs in the home. However, if you are already pet allergic having the pets around will only worsen your allergic symptoms.

Indoor Mold can also cause significant allergic respiratory symptoms. Homes with high humidity and/or leaks have a high likelihood of having significant indoor molds. Once these issues have been fixed, it is generally easy to eliminate molds, but if you continue to have problems with water leaks or high humidity, you will have a hard time cleaning up your mold. Use a cleaning solution containing 5% bleach and a small amount of detergent to clean up moldy areas. Performing house dust control measures will help as well.

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Back to School with Asthma and Allergies

Back to School

Where did the summer go? It’s almost back to school time for thousands of Oklahoma children. Is your family ready? Are your children starting a new school? Was your child recently diagnosed with an allergy, a food allergy and/or asthma? OAAC will help you be prepared for back to school!

First, if you need birth certificates, they can be ordered online oklahoma.gov/health/services/birth-and-death-certificates.html or by calling 877-817-7364. The cost is $15. Additional copies $15. There is an online/phone convenience fee of $5.

Need immunization records? You can access them online through the Oklahoma Immunization Information System Portal - shotrecords.health.ok.gov

Children with Asthma
Talk to your OAAC provider especially if your child’s asthma is not in control. Update or complete an Asthma Action plan to use at home and at school. You can download a plan from the OAAC website oklahomaallergy.com/wp-content/uploads/521-ASTHMA-ACTION-PLAN.pdf Update any medication orders. If your child is going to a new school, make an appointment to have a conversation with the school staff. Review when your child should take his/her asthma medications. Ensure your child or teen is using daily controller medications on schedule and quick-relief medication as needed.

Visit with the school’s nurse or school administrator about your child’s asthma. Take the medication, forms and supplies to school before or by the first day. For those with children who use a nebulizer, check with the school to see if you need to provide tubing and a face mask and/or the nebulizer itself.

Develop a healthy schedule which includes eating regular, nutritious meals and a set sleep routine.

Check with your child at the end of school day to see if he/she experienced any issues maintaining their asthma at school.

Children with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction may complain about participating in physical activities. However, it is very important for children to stay active, so work with school staff to develop strategies to keep your child symptom-free while exercising. These may include:
•    Using a short-acting inhaler 15 minutes prior to exercise
•    Drinking plenty of water before, during and after exercise
•    Choosing sports that are less likely to trigger symptoms.

Allergies at School

Depending on your child’s allergic condition, you may want to:
•    Tour the school to identify potential allergy triggers
•    Talk with your child’s teacher(s) and other relevant school personnel (such as sports coaches) about your child’s condition and treatment plan
•    If your child is at risk for life-threatening reactions, such as those to food or insect stings, complete an Anaphlyaxis Action Plan and show school staff how to administer autoinjectable epinephrine.

In the Classroom
There are many potential allergy and asthma triggers in schools. It is very important that your child’s allergies have been accurately diagnosed in order to determine what allergens to avoid. If your child has not been tested, make an appointment with the OAAC for testing.

Common asthma and allergy triggers in the classroom include:
•    Dust mites
•    Mold
•    Chalk dust
•    Animal dander

At Recess, Gym Class and After-School Sports
Recess may be the favorite time of the school day for many children, but for those with allergies or asthma, it can be a minefield of potential triggers.

If your child has allergic rhinitis (hay fever), you can view the daily pollen and mold counts (Monday-Friday) on the OAAC website and on social media. When levels are very high, plan accordingly if your child takes medication to control symptoms. When indoors, ask staff to keep windows closed to keep pollen out.

Insect bites can cause severe reactions in children with stinging insect allergy. Explain the symptoms to school staff and make sure your child always carries auto injectable epinephrine in case of an emergency.

Working as a team with your OAAC provider, your school staff and your family, back to school can be an easy transition with proper preplanning.

The post Back to School with Asthma and Allergies appeared first on Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic.

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